Miral (6/10)

Julian Schnabel is one of the best directors working today. A former painter he's now directed four feature films. His first three films are fantastic. "The Diving Bell and The Butterfly" is one one of the best films I've ever seen. Schnabel's sublime and artistic direction made the film come alive unlike any other. His direction of that film makes my top ten directions of all time. "Miral" does not live up to those other films.

The Palestinians have a voice too. They have a right to fight for their country just as much as the Israelis. "Miral" focuses on the Palestinians efforts and feelings during the bloody conflict the area was thrown in for decades. Israel is still not at peace but it's in a more stable condition right now. The film follows several women as they try to survive and fight the situation. The problem is the movie doesn't know what it's trying to do. At times it wants to be informative but at others it's trying to tell the story of main character Miral (Freido Pinto) and her feelings. The emotional pain the innocents faced and the people that chose to fight with rage in their hearts occupy only about 2/5 the movie. That was the better part also in due part to some great cinematography and score. Miral's personal story is... less interesting. So the film as a whole seems kind of messy, not terrible, but from such a great director that has found the perfect balance between art and history in the past he seems lost here.

6/10
Recommendation: I'd pass it by unless there is something specific you want to see it for (to learn something for one).